Justin Hunter isn't just another guy. Far from it. With his size, speed and athleticism, Hunter has the ability to be a top-tier NFL wide receiver and the best player at the position since the Titans franchise landed on Tennessee turf.

But sometimes he has to be reminded that there is a difference between potential and performance.

Last week, Hunter was outfitted in a practice jersey that bore the letters JAG — Just Another Guy. It came courtesy of receivers coach Shawn Jefferson and was approved by coach Ken Whisenhunt.

It turns out Hunter was dressed for success. From the look of things in the Titans' preseason game at New Orleans on Friday, the label on his practice jersey got his attention. He caught four passes for 111 yards, including touchdown receptions of 4 and 64 yards.

Accordingly, Hunter will go back to his regular practice jersey this week. The JAG jersey will hang in his locker as a reminder.

"He definitely was not a JAG" against the Saints, Whisenhunt said.

(Photo: Bill Haber / AP)

Hunter took the jersey situation in stride. After all the verbal ragging he took from Jefferson during his rookie season last year, three letters on the back of his practice jersey hardly fazed him.

Hunter is still finding his way in the NFL. He averaged a team-best 19.7 yards on 18 receptions as a rookie but admitted there were times he felt lost in the offense. He seems to have a much better feel for things now.

Against the Saints, Hunter made a veteran move on his first touchdown catch. Isolated against cornerback Corey White, he made a quick outside move on a fade route as quarterback Jake Locker looped a pass toward the corner of the end zone. Hunter leaped over White for the catch and touched the toes of both feet inbounds.

"I just swept my feet," Hunter said. "It was a regular fade that we had been working on in practice. Jake and I have established a really good rhythm on that play."

On the second touchdown, Hunter broke inside and caught a Zach Mettenberger bullet. He cut behind a Brian Robiskie block and outran the defensive pursuit.

"Zach made the throw and I came through and took it to the house," he said.

It is the kind of big-play threat the Titans have been lacking for the past several years. If he keeps this up, Hunter could be a receiver who forces opposing defenses to adjust their coverages, which would benefit Locker and the other receivers.

Whisenhunt considered the performance against the Saints "just a glimpse of what he can be."

"Let's not make the mistake of thinking he's, by any stretch, what he can be," Whisenhunt said. "… He's still got a lot of work to do, although I'm excited for two things: Number one, because he can make those big plays, and number two, because he seems to have the right mind-set to work on those things."

Based on what we've seen thus far in the preseason, the offense needs all the playmakers it can find because the Titans are going to have to outscore their defensive inadequacies if they're going to be relevant in the AFC South.

Friday was more of the same. New Orleans took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards in 16 plays as the Titans put up only token resistance. They had trouble getting lined up and missed several tackles.

A week earlier, Green Bay scored with relative ease on its opening possession. Note that both the Packers and Saints did so without their star quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers sat out the preseason opener and Drew Brees was a spectator on Friday night.

Unless they greatly improve on defense, the Titans will be just another team.

David Climer's columns appear on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 615-259-8020 and on Twitter @DavidClimer.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter (15) pulls in a pass over Saints defensive back Trevin Wade (30) during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) walks off the field after throwing an interception during the fourth quarter against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans tight end Chase Coffman (86) celebrates his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans running back Bishop Sankey (20) tries to get past a Saints defender during the third quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans wide receiver Michael Preston (14) is helped off the field after being injured during the first half in their game against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) races up the field throughout he Saints defense during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt and Saints head coach Sean Payton meet at mid-field after their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans kicker Travis Coons (4) kicks a 50 yard field goal during the first half against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans running back Shonn Greene (23) races up the field during the first half against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans running back Dexter McCluster (22) pulls down a pass over Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) slips out of the grasp of Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt hugs Titans middle linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) before the start of their game against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) throws a pass as he warms up before their game against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans middle linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) prepare to lead the team onto the field for warm-ups before their game against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans running back Leon Washington (29) greets outside linebacker Zach Brown (55) as they take the field for warms ups at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans running back Dexter McCluster (22) pulls in a pass as he warms up before their game against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Friday Aug. 15, 2014, in New Orleans, La.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean